Understand Reaction Rate

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Basic Descriptive Topic

The Collision Theory

Discusses the collision theory of reaction rates, including the importance of activation energy and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.

The effect of surface area on rate of reaction

Describes and explains the effect of surface area on the rate of a reaction between a solid and a liquid or a gas.

The effect of concentration on rate of reaction

Describes and explains the effect of changing the concentration on the rate of a reaction involving liquids or gases. If you are interested in rate equations, orders of reaction and rate constants, these are explained separately - see below.

The effect of pressure on rate of reaction

Describes and explains the effect of changing the pressure on the rate of a reaction involving gases.

The effect of temperature on rate of reaction

Describes and explains the effect of changing the temperature on the rate of a reaction, including the importance of activation energy and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. The Arrhenius equation is dealt with separately - see below.

The effect of a catalyst on rate of reaction

Describes and explains the effect of adding a catalyst to a reaction. This is an introductory look only. You will find a separate section dealing with catalysts in detail - link via the physical chemistry menu (see below).

Rate equations and Orders of reaction

Orders of reaction and rate equations 

An introductory look at orders of reaction, rate equations and the rate constant.

The relationship between order and mechanism

Looks at some simple cases to show how orders of reaction can sometimes give useful information about the mechanism of a reaction. Also discusses the difference between the sometimes confusing terms "order " and "molecularity " of a reaction.

A look at energy profile for reactions

Takes a closer look at simple energy profiles for reactions, and shows how they are slightly different for reactions involving an intermediate or just a transition state.

Order of reaction experiments

A survey of some of the methods of finding orders of reaction experimentally.

The Arrhenius Equation

Discusses the mathematical relationship between the rate constant and temperature and activation energy.